factory e-locker wiring question

[Simmer]

Hello there!
(tl;dr: do I really need to add wire and splice in for factory dash bulb?)

I'm referencing timmy's video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAznG_WoS44

and the wiring diagram here 98_T4R_E-Locker_Retrofit_Wiring_Diagram-2 (1).pdf - Google Drive

They wired up both the rr diff lock engage button and the dash light. I'm wondering if I need to tear apart my dash at all. My rr diff lock was pre-wired so all I had to do was pop the blank off the dash panel and plug the button in. Would my instrument panel be the same way? If so, what wire am I looking at on the block plugs down in the kick panel?

I'd just hate to tear apart dash and insert wire, splice, etc - when I don't need to because wire already travels down to kick.

Thanks

 

[5VZ-FE]

If you mean, do you need to wire the switch so that it lights up? No, but it's easy and it looks cool. As for how to actually do it: you need to run a wire from pin 3 to a ground (I used the factory one inside the drivers side kick panel), and a wire from pin 4 to somewhere that's hot when the gauge lights are on. (Or always hot when the vehicle is on, as shown in Timmy's video)

Edit: Rereading your question I think you might've meant, will it already light up since the harness is already there? No, for some reason the 4Runners just weren't wired for the switch to light up, even though the Tacomas were...

 

[JohnMc]

I think he meant the dash light - if the prewired cars were wired to the dash light.

No answer on that from me, I have no clue. We have 2 4Runners, one factory -locker equipped, the other had no pre-wiring, so it was done from scratch.

I would *assume* so, I think you just need the switch, ECU, and harness from the back seat to the axle.

 

[phattyduck]

I'd just hate to tear apart dash and insert wire, splice, etc - when I don't need to because wire already travels down to kick.

Thanks

Dash harness will have everything. The next place to check is under the rear seat where the wiring drops down to the tank and (if equipped) rear diff. There are two sizes of plugs, one if equipped and smaller one if not. That will tell you if the harness on the driver's side of the body is pre-wired or not.

-Charlie

 

[Simmer]

If you mean, do you need to wire the switch so that it lights up? No, but it's easy and it looks cool. As for how to actually do it: you need to run a wire from pin 3 to a ground (I used the factory one inside the drivers side kick panel), and a wire from pin 4 to somewhere that's hot when the gauge lights are on. (Or always hot when the vehicle is on, as shown in Timmy's video)

Edit: Rereading your question I think you might've meant, will it already light up since the harness is already there? No, for some reason the 4Runners just weren't wired for the switch to light up, even though the Tacomas were...

Yeah, sorry the latter for sure. I am just thinking that since my rr diff lock was prewired then why not the dash? Seems weird the dash light would exist without the prewiring

 

[Simmer]

I think he meant the dash light - if the prewired cars were wired to the dash light.

No answer on that from me, I have no clue. We have 2 4Runners, one factory -locker equipped, the other had no pre-wiring, so it was done from scratch.

I would *assume* so, I think you just need the switch, ECU, and harness from the back seat to the axle.

Does your factory one light up on the dash?

 

[Simmer]

Dash harness will have everything. The next place to check is under the rear seat where the wiring drops down to the tank and (if equipped) rear diff. There are two sizes of plugs, one if equipped and smaller one if not. That will tell you if the harness on the driver's side of the body is pre-wired or not.

-Charlie

It's a limited but wasn't e-locker factory. I don't think there's any plugs under the rear seat where it drops down to axle, but I will check for sure. I want to try and wire it up soon - maybe this weekend! I'm not sure a harness exists on the driver's side or not. I'll update!

 

[3bears]

while I cant answer your question...i want to suggest that since your doing some wiring that you do the "gray wire mod". I have done it to both of the runners that I have had that had a locker. Its nice to be able to use your locker in more than just 4 low.

 

[JohnMc]

Does your factory one light up on the dash?

Yes. And it flashes when it's in 'transition' but hasn't gotten there yet (locking or unlocking, IIRC). The factory locker ECU figures out that logic.

My wife added her locker and did it from scratch, so no flashing. But it does light the switch and the dash. And then she added a front locker and (using some junkyard dash overlay, some scratching, and another factory locker switch) made a spot for it on the dash as well, it and the switch both light up and say 'FR Locker' (parts of the R scratched off).

 

[Simmer]

while I cant answer your question...i want to suggest that since your doing some wiring that you do the "gray wire mod". I have done it to both of the runners that I have had that had a locker. Its nice to be able to use your locker in more than just 4 low.

Absolutely! I'm for sure doing this mod. I am not going to do the other wire mod that allows engaging above 5mph, I don't really see any point in that. No benefit, only potential damage. But I am going to do the gray wire so I can engage the locker in 2wd and 4lock

 

[Simmer]

Yes. And it flashes when it's in 'transition' but hasn't gotten there yet (locking or unlocking, IIRC). The factory locker ECU figures out that logic.

My wife added her locker and did it from scratch, so no flashing. But it does light the switch and the dash. And then she added a front locker and (using some junkyard dash overlay, some scratching, and another factory locker switch) made a spot for it on the dash as well, it and the switch both light up and say 'FR Locker' (parts of the R scratched off).

holy crap, this is AWESOME. I love this so much! How did she add the FR into the dash gauge cluster, you said an overlay?

What locker is it, aftermarket or OEM for the front too? Didn't know you could do that for the front

I'm impressed and definitely want to do this someday

 

[JohnMc]

holy crap, this is AWESOME. I love this so much! How did she add the FR into the dash gauge cluster, you said an overlay?

What locker is it, aftermarket or OEM for the front too? Didn't know you could do that for the front

I'm impressed and definitely want to do this someday

It's a Toyota e-locker in the rear (swapped the entire rear axle) and an ARB air locker in the front. I didn't really think the front locker would add too much capability, but she's been able to make it up some big step ledges outi n Moab that I had to winch up.

 

[3bears]

Absolutely! I'm for sure doing this mod. I am not going to do the other wire mod that allows engaging above 5mph, I don't really see any point in that. No benefit, only potential damage. But I am going to do the gray wire so I can engage the locker in 2wd and 4lock

agree, i did not either.

 

[phattyduck]

It's a limited but wasn't e-locker factory. I don't think there's any plugs under the rear seat where it drops down to axle, but I will check for sure. I want to try and wire it up soon - maybe this weekend! I'm not sure a harness exists on the driver's side or not. I'll update!

All 4Runners have a harness/plug there - for the fuel tank. The E-Locker equipped trucks have a plug/harness with more wires in that location. It is basically in the location opposite where the jack sits on the passenger side. You have to pull up the door sill, flip the seat forward and peak under the carpet.

-Charlie

 

[Simmer]

All 4Runners have a harness/plug there - for the fuel tank. The E-Locker equipped trucks have a plug/harness with more wires in that location. It is basically in the location opposite where the jack sits on the passenger side. You have to pull up the door sill, flip the seat forward and peak under the carpet.

-Charlie

I do have the fuel access panel off and see a couple of wires/plugs for the fuel tank but not one for the diff ECU up in the kick panel despite that wiring being present. I will keep looking and take the carpet up a bit more. Would it be tucked up more under the driver front seat perhaps? I'll look more today. Thank you